Fire extinguishing apparatus



y 1932- w. B. BRONANDER 1,860,074

FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS Fi led June 6, 1929 2 sheets-sheet 1 WWWATTORNEYS y 1932- w. B. BRONANDER 1,860,074

FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS Filed June 6, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L 1 I II K 86 w ifffjjidiIII-7 70 84 80 *8 F 57 L iZ Z- B Y WV [W ATTORNEYSPatented May 24, 1932 UNITED STA wILnELE: B. BRONANDER, or moivToLiuR,NEW JERSEY FIRE EXTINGUYISHING APPARATUS Application filed June 6, 1929.Serial to. 368,845.

This invention relates to fire extinguishing apparatus.

More articularly stated, the invention relates to re extinguishersupports for frangll ble grenades or containers.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide means for supportingthe grenade or container so constructed and arranged that in case offire the container will be automatical- 1. 1y broken and the fireextinguishing fluid will be spread on the fire in a varying path.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting or support fora fire extinguisher container and means carried thereby so constructedand arranged that the container will be automatically punctured orbroken in .case of fire or can be broken by manual. manipulation'withoutbreaking the automatic control means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support or mounting forfire extinguisher containers so constructed and arranged'that the fireextinguishing liquid or fluid will be dispensed in paths of varying ordecreasing radius.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the followingspecification taken in connection with the drawings, which form a art ofthis application, and in which ig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevaton of a casing or housing for a fire extingiushing grenade constructedin accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the bracket or supporting plate onwhich the casing is mounted;

Fig. 3 is arear elevational view of the cas- Fig. 4 isa transversesectional elevation taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 isa bottom plan view of the device shown-in Fig. 1;

Figs. 6, 7 and Bare transverse sectional elevations taken substantiallyon lines 6-6, 77 and 8-8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view, partly broken away, of the lower end ofthe casing and automatic control mechanism;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view showing a grenade housing or casing suchas that shown in Fig. 1, mounted to swing and rotate upon release of theheat controlled element and Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 butshowing a slightly different form of mounting or support for the grenadecontainer.

The invention briefly described consists of a casing for .enclosing afrangible fire extinguishing grenade or container, means being providedat-one end of the casing for puncturing or breaking the container torelease the fire extinguishing fluid or liquid therein. vention shown, aplunger is slidably mounted in the end of the casing and is actuated bya spring in a direction to break'or puncture the container. The plungeris normally held in retracted position by resilient means, which in turnis controlled by a fusible element in such a manner that in case of afire the fusible element will release the resilient means, thuspermitting the plunger to be actuated by the spring and break thegrenade or container. The resilient means is further so constructed andarrangedthat the plunger can be forced. into operative position bymanual manipula-' tion without breaking the resilient means or thefusible control element.

The invention furthermore includes a mounting for the grenade housing orcasing so constructed and arranged that when the fusible element givesway the housing or casing will be permitted to swing about a pivot andalso to rotate, thus distributing the fire extinguishing liquid invarying paths.

Further details of the invention will appear from the followingdescription.

In the particular-form of the invention illustrated in the drawings andshown particularlyin Figs. 1 to 9, a. fire extinguishin grenade orcontainer 20, preferably forme of glass on other frangible material, isenclosed within a substantially cylindrical casing having a centralportion 21, a bottom 22, and a top or cover 23.

The central portion of the casing comprises a substantially cylindricalband 25 having laterally extending flanges 26 and 27 which" are engagedby-flanged portions 28 and 29 of a longitudinally tapered plate 30.

The grenade or container 20 rests at its In the particular form of thein- Y lower end on a pad 35 which is supported on a partition 36, whichin turn is mounted in the bottom or lower end 22 of-the casing and isheld in position by indented lugs 37 formed in the wall of the bottomportion 22. The container is held against endwisev movement in thecasing by a spring 38 which engages the upper end thereof and holds thelower end against the pad 35.

The sleeve or bushing 40 is secured to the bottom 22 at the lower endthereof and extends upwardly, forming a bearing for a plunger 41 whichis slidably mounted therein. a The portion of the plunger 41 whichslidably engages the inner wall of the sleeve 40 is preferably formedtriangular in section, as shown in Fig. 8. \Vith this form ofconstruction it will be evident that the plunger bears against thesleeve in three lines only. Thus, in case of corrosion between theplunger and the sleeve, there is not sufficient contact between theplunger and the sleeve to prevent the operation thereof.

The plunger 41 has a barb, spike, or point-ed inner end 42 which isnormally disposed in a reentrant portion 43 formed in the lower end ofthe grenade or container 20. A washer 44 is mounted on the plungeragainst the end 42 thereof and a spring 45 surrounds the sleeve 40 andengages the washer, normally tending to force the plunger inwardly intoengagement with the portion 43 of the container.

A head is secured to the outer end of the plunger 41, the inner portionof the head being beveled as shown at 51. In order to hold the plungerin retracted or inoperative position, a U-shaped spring 52 engages andsurrounds the plunger 41, being disposed between the head 50 and theouter end of the sleeve 41. The spring 52 has a reduced or constrictedportion 53 which embraces the plunger and the ends of the springdiverge, as shown at 54 and 55. The U-shaped spring 52 is so constructedthat the legs or ends 54 and 55 tend to spread apart or move away fromeach other. These portions are, however, normally held in the positionshown in Fig. 5 by means of the fusible element or link 56. When thefusible element givesway, the legs of the spring 52 will spread apart,releasing plunger 41 which is' actuated by the spring 45 into engagementwith the container 20.

In case it is desired to manually manlpulate the plunger to break thecontainer and release the fire extinguishing liquid, a blow on theplunger will force the plunger inwardly, spreading the legs of thespring 52 without causing the fusible element 56 to be broken. Thus,after manual manipulation, the plunger can "be reset'without requiringany replacement of parts. I 7

The bottom 22 of the casing may be secured to the central portion in anydesired manner but in the form of the invcntion' shown the centralportion 21 is provided with lugs 60 which extend through slots in thebottom 22 and are clinched over to hold the bottom in place. The bottomis perforated, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 5, to permit the escapeof the fire extinguishing liquid after the container 20 has been broken.

The top or cover 23 is provided, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, with alaterally extending lug 61 which is adapted to seat in a slot 62 formedin the central portion 21 of the casing and wider than the width of thelug 61. The cover 23 is also provided-with an ofi'set portion orprotuberance 63 which is disposed substantially diametrically oppositethe lug 61. A central portion 21 of the easing has a slot 65 adapted toreceive the protuberance 63, access to the slot being bad through anoutwardly extending groove or recess 66 which extends downwardly fromthe upper edge of the central portion 21 of the casing and communicateswith the slot 65.

In order to place the cover in position on the central portion 21 of thecasing, the lug 61' is positioned in the slot 62 and the pro tuberance63 is positioned in the recess or groove 66. The cover is then depresseduntil the protuberance 63 is disposed at "the lower end of the groove 66and in alinement with the slot '65. The cover is then turned to asuiiicient extent to cause the protuberance G3 to be positioned in theslot 65.

In Fig. 2 there is shown one form of bracket or back plate on which thecontainer casing may be mounted. The plate 70 is provided at its upperend with a flap or lip 71 which is substantially parallel to the plateand may be used to secure the plate over the upper end of a pocket orother receptacle. The plate also has depressed portions 7 2 and 7 3adapted to receive screws for securing the plate to a support.

In order to detachably secure the container 30, as clearlyil'lustratedin Fig.4. Since the flanges 28 and 29 are longitudinally tapered,

the casing-can be inserted between the legs of the spring by alongitudinal movement of the device downwardly between the legs of thespring.

Instead of ing plate or bracket 70 on a wall or ceiling, or mounting thebracket upon a-stationary support, the device may be mounted, in themanner shown in Figs. 10 and 11. In Fig. 10 the plateTO-is shown asprovided with an extension which is pivotally mounted at 81 to a casing82. i The casing 82 housesand is connected to one end of a spiraLspring83,

fixedly lnqunting the support- I releasing the spring 52 from engagementwith the plunger. The plunger will then be forced into puncturing orbreaking engagement with the container and the container and casing willswing about the pivot 81 and will also-be moved bodily around the axisof the spindle 84 by the action of the spring 83. It will be evidentthat the centrifugal force acting on the casing will vary with the speedof rotation-thereof and as the spring runs down the casing will swing inarcs of decreasing radii. The fire extinguishing liquid will thus bedispensed in varying paths.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 11, the casing is alsomounted to swing about the pivot 81, but in this embodiment of theinvention the pivot 81 is carried by a fixed support 90 depending fromthe bracket 85. Thus, in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 11, therelease of the container and casing by the fusible element will permitthe container and casing to swing back and forth about the pivot 81.

From the foregoing description it will be clear that simple, practicaland effective means have been provided for housing and supporting afrangible container and that the device will operate effectively andefliciently in case of fire to dispense or distribute the fireextinguishing liquid in varying paths. Furthermore, it will be clearthat the grenade or container canbepuncturedbymanual 'manipulation ofthe plunger without requiring any replacement of the plunger detainingspring or fusible element.

Although certain specific embodiments of the invention have beenparticularly shown and described, it will be understood that theinvention is capable of modification and that changes in theconstruction and in the arrangement of the various cooperating parts maybe made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, asexpressed in the following claims.

lVhat I claim is:

'1. In combination, means for supporting a fire extinguisher container,a plunger carried thereby and movableto puncture a container supportedby said means, actuating means for moving the plunger tooperativeposition, a. resilient clip embracing the plunger to hold said plungeragainst movement to operative position, and fusible means controllingsaid clip, said clip and plunger being so constructspring beingconnected ed and arranged. that the plunger can be moved to operativeposition without breaking the fusible means.

2. In combination, means for supporting a fire extinguisher container, aplunger carried thereby and movable to puncture a container supported bysaid means, said plunger having a head at its outer end, actuating meansfor moving the plunger to operative position, means embracing theplunger to hold said head and plunger against movement to operativeposition, and fusible means controlling said embracing means, saidembraci ng means being constructed and arrangedto spread and permitmovement of the plunger and head upon manual manipulation-thereofwithout breaking the fusible means.

3. In combination, means for supporting a frangible fire extinguishercontainer, a member mounted for movement against said container, memberagainst the container, resilient means for holding said member againstmovement by said actuating means,'said resilient means being biased tospread andrelease, saidmember, and heat controlled means for holdingsaid resilient means in operative position.

4. In combination, a fire extinguisher support mounted for pivotalmovement and biased to swing on its pivot, a fire extinguishu ercontainer carried by said support, a member movable into engagement withand adapted to puncture said container, means for moving said memberinto engagement with the container and common, heat controlled means forholding said member against movement toward the container and forholding said support against movement on its pivot.

5. Incombination, a fire extinguisher support mounted. for pivotalmovement and biased to swing on its 'pivot,-a fire extinguishercontainer carried by said support, a member movable into engagement withand adapted to puncture said container, means for moving said memberinto contact with the container, means including heat controlled meansengaging said member for holding said member against movement tooperative position, and means engaging said. heat controlled means forholding said support against movement on its pivot. 6. In combination,means for supporting a fire extinguisher container, a plunger carriedthereby and movable to puncture a container supported by said means,said plunger having a head at its outer end, actuating means for movingthe plunger to operative position, a springeclip engaging the plungeractuating means for moving saidto hold said head and plunger againstmove- 1 ment to operative position, and fusible means controlling saidengaging clip.

7 In combination, a fire extinguisher support mounted for pivotalmovement about one end thereof and biased to swing on its pivot, a fireextinguisher container carried by said support, a member movable intoengagement with and adapted to puncture said container, means for movingsaid member into engagement with-said container and eounnon,-heatcontrolled means for holding said member against movement toward thecontainer and for holding said support againstmovement on its pivot.

8. In combination, a tire extinguisher support mounted for pivotalmovement about means for rotating said member, a fire extinguishercontainer carried by the support, said support bemg biased to swing onsaid rotary member, means for puncturing said container, means foractuating said punctur-. mg means, and heat controlled means for holdingthe puncturing means against actuation, holding the supportagainstmovement on its pivot and for holding said member againstrotation.

10. In combination, means for supporting a fire extinguisher container,a plunger carried thereby and movable to puncture a container supportedby said means, said plunger having a head at its outer end, actuatingmeans for moving the plunger to operative position, means engaging theplunger to hold said head and plunger against movement to operativeposition, and fusible means controlling said engaging means, saidengaging means being constructed and arranged to spread and permitmovement of the plunger and head upon manual manipulation thereofwithout breaking the fusible means.

11. In combination, a member mounted for rotary movement, means forrotating said member, an extinguisher support pivoted thereon at one endof the support, a fire ex tinguisher container carried by the supportand biased to swing on said pivot, means carried by the support at theend remote from the pivoted end for releasing the contents of thecontainer, and heat responsive means for holding the support againstmovement.

12. In combination, a fire extinguisher container, a rotarysupporttherefor,saidsupport being rotatable ina fixed plane, a pivotalconnection between said container and support, said container beingbiased to-swing on its pivot, means for rotating said support,

means for releasing fire extinguishing liquid operative, said heatcontrolled means also serving to hold said rotary support againstrotation.

13. In combination, a fire extinguisher container, a rotary supporttherefor, a pivotal connection, between said container and support,means for rotating said support, means for releasing fire extinguishingliquid from said container. and heat controlled means inclluling aspring and a fusible element for holding said releasing meansinoperative, said heat cont-rolled means also serving to hold saidrotary support against rotation.

\VILH'ELM B. BRONANDER.

from said container, and heat controlled means for holding saidreleasing means in-

